Go-Back-N

Go-Back-N is a data transmission method used in computer networks to ensure reliable delivery. Imagine sending a series of postcards (data packets) numbered sequentially. If one postcard gets lost or damaged, the receiver asks for that specific postcard to be resent along with all following ones, regardless of whether they were received correctly. This approach simplifies error handling but can be inefficient since it may resend packets that were already received. Go-Back-N allows the sender to send multiple postcards before needing acknowledgment, thereby improving speed while maintaining reliability in communication.